Back to the Root:
An Urban River Revitalization Plan
Presented by the Root River Council and River Alliance of Wisconsin
July 2008
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Table of Contents
Root River Council Members
3
Acknowledgments 4
Executive Summary 5
Introduction Project Scope Connecting People to the River Listening to the Community 7
8
9
10
Root River Council’s Recommendations
Create a Sense of Place Stimulate Economic Growth Allow Public Access and Interaction
Improve Water Quality 11
11
12
15
18
Implementation
19
Appendices
Appendix A: Survey and Discussion
Questions
Appendix B: Survey Results Appendix C: River Walk and Bike Path
Recommendations Appendix D: Belle Harbor Concept 6
Appendix E: Park Recommendations
Appendix F: Publications Reviewed 21
21
23
28
29
31
33
Figures
Figure 1: Proposed Urban River Planning Boundary with Paths
6
Figure 2: Project Scope
8
Figure 3: Urban River Planning
Boundary
11
14
Figure 4: Belle Harbor Concept 6
Figure 5: Proposed Root River
Pathway Route
16
Root River Council Members
The members of the Root River Council provided
hundreds of volunteer hours working on this effort.
Thank you for caring so much about the future of the
Root River and the City of Racine!
Chris Flynn, Owner, DP Wigley
Susan Greenfield, Executive Director, Root-Pike
Watershed Initiative Network
Reva Holmes, Board Member, Root-Pike Watershed
Initiative Network
Rep. Cory Mason (Assembly District 62), and Board
Member, River Alliance of Wisconsin
Donna Peterson, Southeast Gateway Group Sierra Club
Bonnie Prochaska, Owner, Ginkgo Leaf Consulting
Thomas Schnaubelt, Dean for Community
Engagement and Civic Learning, University of
Wisconsin-Parkside
Melissa Warner, Coordinator Weed Out! Racine, and
Vice Chair, Southeast Gateway Group Sierra Club
Allison Werner and Helen Sarakinos, River Alliance of
Wisconsin staff
Cover and page five: The image is a conceptual
drawing of the river looking downstream from 6th
Street. The renderings throughout the document were
created by UW-Milwaukee Community Design
Solutions student Anna Grosch.
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
306 E. Wilson Street #2W
Madison, WI 53703
608.257.2424
www.backtotheroot.org
Acknowledgments
Many people provided guidance and input for this
plan. We greatly appreciate all of their thoughtful
comments and time.
Several City of Racine Staff worked closely with us on
this project. We are looking forward to continuing our
partnership with the city as we move forward on the
next phase of this plan.
City of Racine Staff
Rick Jones, Public Works
Julie Kinzelman, Health
Jim Luelloff, Development
Brian O’Connell, Development
Donnie Snow, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
UW-Milwaukee’s Community Design Solutions
(CDS) provided planning, facilitation and design
support throughout this project. CDS is a program that
gives graduate and undergraduate students real world
planning experience. The main students involved in
this project were:
Anna Grosch, Graphic Design
Larry Kilmer, Assistant Manager
Alison Kopyt, Project Manager
Dan Williams and Cassie Goodwin from consulting
firm JJR provided many conceptual images and
waterfront development guidance for this plan.
A big thanks to River Alliance of Wisconsin interns
Aubin Maynard and Amy Singler for their great work
on this project.
This project was made possible thanks to the generous support from the following contributors.
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Executive Summary
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan
is intended to guide and inform the redevelopment and
revitalization of the Root River in the City of Racine.
The vision to create an identity for the river took
shape over two years of public conversations with
residents, stakeholders and the City staff. The plan
brings together the best elements of existing plans and
lays out a holistic vision for the future of the river that
ensures water quality improvement and public access
and brings beauty and functionality to the riverfront.
Four goals guided this planning process:
1) reorient the city to its river
2) prompt robust, innovative development and growth
with a mix of residential, retail and recreational projects
3) champion redevelopment efforts that will improve
and protect natural habitat and water quality of the river
4) promote the participation of citizens and good
public process in decisions affecting redevelopment of
the waterfront
Our recommendations for the Root River fall under
four interconnected categories:
• Create a sense of place
• Stimulate economic growth
• Allow public access and interaction
• Improve water quality
Sense of Place Recommendation
• Define a unified urban river planning boundary
highlighting the river’s assets and creating an
identity that connects people to the river
Economic Growth Recommendations
• Create continuous public access along the
riverfront combining river walk, pathway and
recreational access points
• Sustainably redevelop Belle Harbor Marina
Public Access and Interaction
Recommendations
• Provide access points for public fishing, boating,
and viewing the river
• Draw people to the river by placing signs directing
them to recreational opportunities along the river
• Move the Mound Avenue section of the Root River
Pathway off the street between 6th and Marquette
Streets
• Improve the Water Street retaining wall by placing
public art over the wall
• Connect the river walk to downtown by
improving the 4th Street stairs and adding
matching access on the Park Avenue side of the
Water Street retaining wall
Water Quality Recommendations
• All new development within the urban planning
boundary must incorporate best management
practices to control stormwater runoff
• Maintain vegetative buffers along the river’s edge
in the river parks
The proposed urban river planning boundary, river walk
and bike path are shown in Figure 1, on page six.
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Figure 1: Proposed Urban River Planning Boundary,
River Walk and Bike Path
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Introduction
“We perceive the transformation of urban waterfronts
in North America...playing a major role in ongoing
efforts to restore the centers of our cities to economic
and social health.” Waterfronts: Cities Reclaim Their
Edge (Breen and Digby, 1994).
Racine is a city in the midst of reinventing itself from
a manufacturing center to a Great Lakes business,
recreational and cultural destination. Perched on the
shores of Lake Michigan and bisected by the Root
River, much of the redevelopment and revitalization
of the city has focused on the lakefront, but is
increasingly moving to the riverfront. Increased focus
is now being placed on another valuable resource in
the City of Racine - the namesake Root River - and the
potential to make it a key component in revitalization
plans for the City of Racine.
Yet for all the good planning, redevelopment,
monitoring and restoration that is happening along
parts of the river, no comprehensive plan exists
that ties together all the separate valuable efforts to
establish priorities for the Root River within the City
of Racine, and to promote it as the asset and treasure it
can be. And despite major improvements in the water
quality of the river over the last 30 years (as evidenced
by the big increase in salmon fishing in the river),
many still perceive the Root River as “dirty, industrial,
contaminated,” in the words of one resident.
The City has adopted several plans for the
management and redevelopment of city areas that
touch on portions of the Root River, including the
2005 Downtown Plan and Park and Open Space Plan.
Close to 58% of the land along the Root River in the
City of Racine is publicly owned. In 2004, the City
completed the Root River Pathway, a bike path along
the Root River in Racine, allowing for non-motorized
access to the river’s shore for over four miles, through
both parks and urban areas.
There has been increasing interest in evaluating and
improving the water quality of the river over the
last several years. In 2005, the City commissioned
an assessment of the erosion control problems
associated with storm sewer outfalls and hydrological
modifications along the Root River to guide future
restoration and upgrading efforts. Southeast Wisconsin
Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC) has
updated its Regional Water Quality Management Plan
for the Root. The City of Racine Health Department
has been monitoring select open water and storm
water discharge pipes on the Root River for over
twenty years. Future comprehensive water quality
assessments will establish a baseline by which
improvements may be gauged.
Top: Paddler traveling downstream toward DP Wigley
Bottom: West 6th Street Bridge
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Several recent redevelopment plans include portions
of the river within their boundaries, but there is a
growing desire to address riverfront redevelopment in
Racine more holistically. Since June 2006, engaged
residents and organizations from Racine have been
coming together to strategize how the Root River can
be a key asset in the revitalization of the city.
Project Scope
Over the course of several conversations, the group
has identified the need for a comprehensive plan that
will focus on the Root River specifically to: 1) reorient
the city to its river; 2) prompt robust, innovative
development and growth with a mix of residential,
retail and recreational projects; 3) improve habitat
and water quality along the river; and 4) promote the
participation of citizens and good public process in
decisions affecting redevelopment of the waterfront.
The river’s course has a natural evolution through
the city meandering through nine city parks, two
county parks and two golf courses and residential
neighborhoods. At the Union Pacific Railroad bridge,
the course changes, and its historic commercial and
manufacturing character predominates. While the
plan addresses the entire river scope, the majority
of recommendations focus on the redevelopment
potential in the lower reaches of the river.
The geographic area covered in this plan is the urban
Root River corridor from Horlick Dam to the mouth of
the river at Lake Michigan, approximately five miles
downstream, as shown in Figure 2 below.
Figure 2: Project Scope
Horlick Dam
Lincoln Park
Belle Harbor Marina
Union Pacific Railroad Bridge
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Connecting People to the River
River communities have historically turned their
backs on their hard-working rivers, and Racine, in
its treatment of the Root River downtown, was no
exception. The Root River Council made it a priority
to help residents reconnect with the Root River in
order to better understand it and to envision a new
future for the river. In the last two years, several
public events were organized to bring residents “back
to the Root.”
•
Running the Root, an annual canoe trip.
•
A bike ride along the Root River Pathway from
Colonial Park to North Beach. (This event, held
in August of 2007 when the river was high,
demonstrated the important function of the
floodplain.)
•
A community park walk from Island Park to Root
River Environmental Education Community
Center (REC) was led by Racine Parks Director
Donnie Snow.
•
A fall motor boat trip, made possible thanks to
Captain Monte Osterman.
•
A public forum at which City of Racine
Microbiologist Dr. Julie Kinzelman presented the
results of the City Health Department’s 2007 Root
River study.
•
The May 2008 grand opening of UW-Parkside’s
REC which celebrated the Root River and
provided an opportunity for public comments
about this plan.
•
A web site (www.backtotheroot.org) provided
online access to information about events and
resources about the Root River planning effort.
Root River Environmental Education
Community Center
REC will continue to have a key role in
drawing positive attention to the Root River
by providing educational and recreational
programming and connecting the residents to the
natural world in the neighborhood.
Citizen Comments
We would use the river more if the:
“Area around the river can be cleaned up”
“Water quality was increased”
Top: Paddlers at Union Pacific Railroad bridge during
the 2007 Running the Root
Middle: Cyclists learning about REC in August 2006
Bottom: REC ribbon cutting on May 3, 2008
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Listening to the Community
One of the central goals of the Root River planning
process was to meaningfully engage residents in a
public dialogue about the role of the Root River in
a revitalized urban center. The Root River Council
worked directly with many different stakeholders
who have an interest in the river: neighborhood
associations and churches, local businesses,
developers, recreational, fishing and environmental
groups, local schools, Root-Pike WIN, members of
Common Council whose districts incorporate the
Root River, and staff from the City Departments
of Public Works, Parks, City Development and the
Mayor’s office.
Both one-on-one interviews and facilitated group
meetings were used to get public input. Interviews
were designed to determine how stakeholders perceive
and use the river and what they believe is needed to
make the river a more central resource for the city.
The public visioning process for the Root River
Plan was carried out as a group of three “Root River
Conversations” held in the fall of 2007 and facilitated
by UW-Milwaukee’s Community Design Solutions.
These working meetings were designed for small
group discussions and visioning and allowed residents
to learn about the current condition of the Root River
and share their opinions about its future.
Additionally, the Root River Council distributed
surveys to Racine area residents. The survey responses
and meeting discussions shaped the recommendations
in this plan. The list of the survey questions and
responses are in Appendix A and B respectively.
Citizen Comments
We love the Root River because:
“It is a natural gem in an urban area”
“I love the calming effect of being near water”
“Each time I visit it is growing cleaner”
Top: Residents annotate a map of the Root River
Bottom: Citizens’ sketches for Root River corridor
redevelopment
10
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Root River Council’s Recommendations
From our interviews, surveys and conversations with
citizens and stakeholders, the Root River Council
makes these recommendations, which fall under four
interconnected categories:
•
•
•
•
Figure 3: Urban River Planning
Boundary
Create a sense of place
Stimulate economic growth
Allow public access and interaction
Improve water quality
Create a Sense of Place
The 2005 Downtown Plan created seven districts
which it envisioned as “an assembly of distinct and
varied districts that create a unified and coherent
whole – a place where people will want to live, work,
shop and play.” While several downtown districts
touch on the riverfront, there is no unified river
district that would help create an identity around
the river, lay out consistent development guidelines
and public access requirements, and generally help
develop a sense of place tied to Racine’s namesake
river. To unify the Root River corridor in the urban
section we have created a river planning boundary
(Figure 3 below and Figure 1 on page six). We will
use this boundary as a guide as we further develop our
recommendations.
Steps need to be taken to create a sense of place or
identity within this boundary. This can begin with
creating a logo and signs for the entire river corridor
that highlight the character of both the park and
urban sections of the river and unify the Root River
within the city.
Sense of Place Recommendation
• Define a unified urban river planning
boundary highlighting the river’s assets
and creating an identity that connects
people to the river
The Root River and the Racine community are
fortunate that city officials had the vision to create so
much park land along the river. (For example, Island
Park is an urban gem created by renowned landscape
designer Jens Jensen.) However, the park section
abruptly ends at the Union Pacific Railroad bridge. As
the urban river corridor redevelops, adding more green
space will better connect these sections.
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
11
Stimulate Economic Growth
As stated in the 2005 Downtown Plan, “Development
that authentically reflects Racine’s history of
innovation and reconnects to its geographical features
– Lake Michigan and the Root River – will reinforce
its unique qualities.”
The river can be a destination and attract multiple uses
such as housing, retail, restaurants, concerts, festivals,
and recreation. All of these activities need an attractive
setting with green spaces and good water quality.
While almost all of the recommendations in this report
will make the river a more desirable place for people
to be, two are key to catalyzing economic growth:
1) creating continuous public access along the
riverfront combining river walk, pathway and
recreational access points, and 2) sustainable
redevelopment of the Belle Harbor Marina.
Many Wisconsin cities have revitalized their
riverfronts. The photos on the right show examples of
how Milwaukee and Waupaca have made their rivers
an economic asset. From top to bottom:
•
Public performance spaces, like this pavilion on
the Milwaukee riverfront, provide an amenity for
both pedestrians and river users.
•
The Waupaca River is an asset to housing in
Waupaca. The buildings are oriented to both the
river and the street, and offer river views and easy
access to the water.
•
The Rock Bottom Brewery in Milwaukee is one of
many businesses that lures customers looking for a
table with a view.
Citizen Comments
The economic changes I’d like to see:
“Developed more with an overall plan, yet
keep it as natural as possible”
Top: A musical gathering place on the Milwaukee River
Middle: Fishing access adjacent to riverfront housing
Bottom: Rock Bottom Brewery draws riverfront business
12
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
River Walk
“ ...Pedestrian-oriented high-density residential district
oriented toward riverfront.” 2005 Downtown Plan
A river walk is an economic asset and amenity to
new and existing development and a destination for
recreation and entertainment. Most importantly, it is a
public space. The river walk should be a focal point in
the Downtown District.
Citizen Comments
The river walk should:
“When I look up from the water, I should see as
few buildings as possible”
“Use the natural beauty to enhance the river”
A Racine river walk should be located along the
river’s southeast edge from 6th Street to Main Street
and then connect with the existing lakefront walkway,
as shown on Figure 1, page six.
In its call for “pedestrian-oriented high-density
residential district oriented toward the riverfront,”
Racine’s 2005 Downtown Plan recognizes the
benefit of a river walk to many other communities.
Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Oshkosh
and Sheboygan have all incorporated a river walk with
their riverfront redevelopment. While each of these
communities is unique, they offer many lessons for
Racine.
Approved zoning that clearly lays out the
requirements and creates a level playing field for all
development along the river walk is highly desired
by developers. And better that those requirements
are laid down before development starts. In some
communities, riverfront zoning was adopted after
development began, leading to problems, such as
significant differences in elevation of the river walk
from one property to the next. That, in turn, led to a
neighboring development having to spend additional
money to connect their river walk to the higher river
walk section next door.
Natural vegetation needs to be included with the river
walk design. Vegetation can filter runoff, provide
habitat for birds and animals, offer shade, and
generally provide a pleasing visual aspect. Plants
suited for riverfront landscaping will accomplish these
needs. The wider such vegetative buffers are, the
greater their benefit.
Top: Conceptual image of the Detroit RiverWalk in Detroit,
Michigan
Bottom: Conceptual image of the Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Riverwalk. Images provided by JJR.
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
13
Belle Harbor Marina
The Racine Lakefront Plan Update from August 25,
2006, points out the many challenges for this site to
continue to operate as a marina. These include siltation,
excess marina space in this area, and the high cost of
repairing the dock walls. The lakefront plan provides
three suggestions for the future use of the property.
Our preference for this site aligns closer to Concept 6
(Figure 4 below and in Appendix D), which includes
a riverfront park and public plaza. These uses fit with
the Downtown Plan and this plan. However, Concept
6 also includes a housing tower. Since details have
not been created for the concept, we are uncertain
if the tower is a good fit for the site and the goals of
this plan. We prefer see the entire space be park and
open space, including a public non-motorized and
motorized boat launch, with boat slips remaining
along the outside wall.
We plan to work with the City of Racine, Racine County and the Downtown Racine Corporation to
further develop the redesign of this location.
Above: Belle Harbor Marina June 2008
Economic Growth Recommendations
• Create continuous public access along the
riverfront combining river walk, pathway
and recreational access points
• Sustainably redevelop Belle Harbor Marina
Figure 4: Belle Harbor Concept 6
14
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Allow Public Access and Interaction
“The navigable waters of Wisconsin shall be common
highways and forever free...” Article IX, Section
1, Wisconsin State Constitution (the Public Trust
Doctrine)
Citizen Comments
“Increase opportunities for all to experience
the river”
The Root River is a treasure that runs through the
city and should be accessible by all residents. More
opportunities for residents to safely reach and interact
with the Root River are needed. Public access includes
fishing, walking and cycling near the river’s edge,
boating and viewing the river from the shoreline.
Among the chief recommendations to emerge from
the public input sessions was the need to establish
continuous public access along the riverfront. The
river walk will provide walking, viewing and access to
the river in the downtown area. It will be an amenity
for residents of river apartments, condominiums
and/or townhouses and for businesses such as cafés
and restaurants. Public access does not eliminate
or conflict with the current boating opportunities
along the river. The conceptual images on the right
demonstrate how boat slips and a public river walk
can coexist.
The Root River Pathway is a great access point into
the river parks. While the pathway is well marked,
many of the city parks are in need of signs indicating
that the Root River is accessible at the park. The signs,
with a newly created logo, should be placed at major
intersections near each of the river parks.
Access and view points should also be established
in each park along the river for fishermen and nonmotorized boaters. In general, non-motorized boat
launches should be reasonably priced and require low
maintenance for the city. Specific recommendations
for each park are listed in Appendix E.
Top : Conceptual image of paddlers and pedestrians using
the Root River in downtown
Bottom: Conceptual image of the Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Riverwalk. Image provided by JJR.
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
15
Bike Path Safety
During our August 2007 bike ride we received
comments about improving the bike path from the
cyclists that were echoed in our surveys and interviews.
The users of the Root River Pathway want a safer route
along Mound Avenue. Traffic on Mound Avenue moves
quickly and without a designated bike lane, cyclists do
not feel safe. Turning left onto the path against traffic
from Mound Avenue is dangerous. The intersection
at Mound Avenue, Marquette and Liberty Streets is
confusing to out-of-town and local residents alike.
We want to see the route of the Root River Pathway
amended to be off-street along Mound Avenue, as
shown in Figure 5 below. Moving the bike path off of
Citizen Comments
We would like to see the pathway:
“Continuous, safe, walking and riding path”
“Better crosswalks, more signs, and less bike
path on streets”
the busy street will also keep this section of the river as
green space. This is the last large area of green space
in the urban area, and wildlife like the black-crowned
night-heron, fox, and beaver are frequently found here.
The existing and proposed bike path routes are shown
below and details can be found in Appendix C.
Figure 5: Proposed Root River Pathway Route
16
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Water Street Retaining Wall
Improving the appearance of the large steel retaining
wall along Water Street will draw positive attention to
the river. Of the many options, we prefer fabric murals
because they can be mounted over the existing wall
and changed periodically. Public art can be printed
on the fabric murals, which could be made from
parachutes or sail material. One citizen’s suggestion
was to use the fabric to create a movie screen and hold
a special movie night on the river.
Public Access and Interaction
Recommendations
• Provide access points for public fishing,
boating, and viewing the river
• Draw people to the river by placing
signs directing them to recreational
opportunities along the river
This project can also engage the community.
Organizations such as the Racine Arts Council and
local artists could help implement this idea.
• Move the Mound Avenue section of
the Root River Pathway off the street
between 6th and Marquette Streets
The refurbished wall and the adjacent Sam Azarian
Park should become a focal point that can connect the
river with downtown. To create easier access between
the river and downtown, the stairs at 4th Street need to
be improved and matching pedestrian access needs to
be added on the Park Avenue side of the wall.
• Improve the Water Street retaining wall
by placing public art over the wall
• Connect the river walk to downtown by
improving the 4th Street stairs and adding
matching access on the Park Avenue side
of the Water Street retaining wall
Image: Conceptual drawing of murals on the retaining wall Inset: Existing condition of the retaining wall
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
17
Improve Water Quality
“Address the health of downtown in a holistic manner,
considering environmental quality and long-term
benefits to downtown activity and vitality.” 2005
Downtown Plan
The number one improvement the public wants for
the Root River is high water quality. Over the last 100
years this river worked hard and was treated poorly.
We now have the opportunity to reverse these actions.
Our economic activities should improve rather than
degrade water quality.
In 2007 the health department prepared the report
Baseline Assessment of Root River Water Quality.
The results showed high E.Coli levels at several sites.
Turbidity (murkiness) of the water was above average
at all of the sites. Detergents were also detected
frequently. The City of Racine Health Department will
be continuing this study in 2008. Having long-term
data about the health of the river will help prioritize
ways to continue to improve the river’s water quality.
In this urban setting, the main water quality issue to
address is stormwater. Stormwater carries pollutants,
such as bacteria, sediment, nutrients, and detergents
as it runs over roofs, driveways, and streets. New
developments are required to create and implement
stormwater and erosion plans to reduce the stormwater
leaving the site during and after construction.
Techniques for reducing stormwater impacts include
green roofs, rain gardens, rain harvesting devices (rain
barrels or cisterns), and permeable pavements.
One technique to reduce the impacts of stormwater
in the river parks is a vegetative buffer. A vegetative
buffer absorbs rain water, reduces soil erosion,
provides habitat for wildlife, and also deters geese.
The City of Racine Parks Department already
increased the vegetative buffer along the Root River
by eliminating mowing of the grass along the river’s
edge. We applaud this effort. We understand that
to some citizens a vegetative buffer is not visually
appealing or limits access to the river. To address these
issues we recommend maintenance of the buffers to
remove weeds such as thistles and non-native plants
such as buckthorn. We acknowledge that City Park
staff may not have enough resources to provide the
labor to accomplish this work. The city’s Adopt-aRiver program should work with the new Weed Out!
Racine program to train volunteers to assist in the
removal of nonnative plants and weeds. A public
education effort should also take place to explain the
benefits of the vegetative buffer.
Fortunately, several studies have been completed
and are still being conducted by the City of Racine
to determine the current water quality in the river.
18
Top: This vegetative buffer was installed in Island Park by
Earth Tech
Bottom: Carthage College student Tristan Begotka collects
water for testing from an outfall at Washington Park.
Photo provided by Dr. Julie Kinzelman
Water Quality Recommendations:
• All new development within the urban
planning boundary must incorporate
best management practices to control
stormwater
• Maintain vegetative buffers along the
river’s edge in the river parks
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Implementation
Creating a vision for the Root River is only the first
step. Implementing the recommendations is a longterm effort and relies on several next steps:
•
•
•
•
•
Adopt the plan
Continue to involve city staff
Pursue funding opportunities
Pursue catalyst projects
Continue to involve citizens
We will request that the Racine City Council and
appropriate committees adopt this plan in concept.
Success relies on the continued close partnership with
city staff. In the immediate future, we will jointly
pursue funding from the Department of Commerce to
further refine and carry out recommendations.
Funding is obviously a key requirement to
implementing this plan. There are many federal and
state programs that could support portions of the plan.
While it may take a number of years for the riverfront
to redevelop, several projects can begin right
away. These projects can become catalysts for the
redevelopment of the Root River.
The projects best suited for city staff leadership are:
•
•
•
•
•
Bike Path improvements along Mound Avenue
Repair of stairs at 4th Street
Belle Harbor redevelopment planning
Root River identity creation (i.e. logo and sign
design)
Promotion of the plan to developers
The projects that citizens could organize around in the
near future include:
•
•
•
•
•
Retaining wall mural design and installation
Vegetative buffer maintenance in parks
Public education about buffers
New boat launches in parks
New benches and viewing places in parks
Participation of community groups will be key to
realizing the revitalization of the Root River. Some of
the key partners include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
21st Century School
Adopt-a-River
Downtown Racine Corporation
Historic Sixth Street Association
Hoy Audubon Society
Kenosha Racine Bike Club
Leadership Racine
Racine Arts Council
Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network
Root River Chapter of Wild Ones
Root River Environmental Education Community
Center
Salmon Unlimited
Southeast Gateway Group Sierra Club
St. Catherine’s High School Environmental Club
UW-Parkside
Walden III Environmental Club
Weed Out! Racine
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
19
Appendices
Appendix A: Survey and Discussion Questions
Root River Survey-Fall 2007
Thank you for sharing your comments about the Root River!
1.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
What are your experiences with the Root River? Please mark all that apply.
Fishing
Biking
Walking
Boating, what type ___________ (canoe, kayak, motor boat)
Bird watching
I live nearby the river
I work nearby the river
I own a business near the river
Other _______________________
2.
What do you love about the Root River?
3.
What changes would you like to see?
Later this fall we will be holding meetings to discuss the future of the Root River in the downtown and
4.
upstream park areas (Island and Colonial, etc.). Would you be interested in attending a meeting to share your
concerns and help plan improvements for the Root River?
• Yes
• No
If yes, is a week night or Saturday better? Please check one.
• Weeknight
• Saturday morning
• Saturday afternoon
Which location would be most convenient for you to attend the meeting? Please check one.
• Downtown area
• West 6th Street area
• Lincoln Park area
• Location does not matter
•
• If no, may we ask why not?
• Too busy
• Not interested in meetings
• Other____________________________________________
Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey!
If you would like to be contacted about future Root River meetings please provide us your contact information
on the page provided.
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
21
Survey and Discussion Questions Continued
November 2007
Root River Conversation Questions
Conversation 1: Accessibility / River Experience
• How can the root river be made easier to access?
• How can the Root River play a bigger role in your daily life?
• What activities are you most interested in participating in and along the river?
• What do you feel is restricting people’s access to the river?
• Where are do you think new river access points could be added?
• How can existing access points be improved?
Conversation 2: Downtown District
• How should the river look and feel as it flows through the downtown area?
• What do you think should be the size and frequency of public access?
• What should the functions of the buildings be that are adjacent to river?
• Where should the entrances be located?
• What should the character of river walk be?
December 2007
Root River Conversations Questions
Parks
• What type of vegetation should be along the Root River in each of the parks?
• How much of the river bank vegetation should be cleared for access/view?
• Who should/could maintain the vegetation?
• Where should boat launches be placed between the Quarry and REC Center?
River Walk
• If there was a river walk along the downtown section of the river, where would it be placed?
• What activities would talk place on or along a river walk?
• What infrastructure would need to be created to have those activities and where should they be placed?
Retaining Wall
Should this wall:
• Be Painted
• Have vegetation planted (vines, etc.) that would trail down the wall
• Be used a movie screen for public events
• Be removed and terraced with an amphitheater
Downtown Connections
• Where should connections be made from the river to downtown and what type of connections should they
be?
22
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Appendix B: Survey Results
2007 Root River Survey Results
83 Respondents
Question One: What activities/experiences have you had in or along the river?
Root River Activites
50
Boating
45
40
canoe
35
kayak
motor boat
30
dragon
boats
sail boat
25
20
15
10
5
0
Own business
nearby
Work nearby
Other
Bird watching
Live nearby
Fishing
Biking
Boating
Walking
Notes from those that checked other or added a comment:
• Drive by the river
• Past member/President of Root River Restoration
• Grew up near the river
• Crab fishing as a kid, for bait
• Sitting by the river
• Former sail boat owner that docked on the river
• Friends that live on the river
• Kayak dog park to lake, canoe Hwy 31 to lake, sail boat, Azarian to lake
• Ice skating, X-country skiing, paintball on the ice
• Former Rotarian involved with dragon boats on the river
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
23
Survey Results Continued
2007 Root River Survey Results
Question Two: What do you love about the Root River?
What I love about the Root River
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Horlick dam
Photography
Educational
Opportunity
Getting Cleaner
It is still here
A sample of responses
• The "wildness", seeing the birds and animals
• Gentle, wild, meanders, shallow
• I like the greenery around the river
24
Serenity
•
•
•
A natural resource that can be shared by everyone in a sustainable fashion
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
It helps to identify our city.
Natural resource, beauty to compliment the urban environment
Oasis in the middle of the city
Root River goes through heart of Racine
It is a nearby recreation resource and wildlife refuge
It is fun to boat on
I love riding my bike along the bike path
I like the opportunities it offers for various recreational activities as
well as photographic opportunities.
Parks and bike paths are a gem, close to home, safe place to bike
to work-off of city streets
•
Beauty
•










Recreation
Urban Asset
Nature/Wildlife
Good place to fish and sit and watch birds and relax.
The salmon trap. I have sent several people from Illinois to see it
this spring
Serenity, the sounds of the river flowing-peacefulness
Beauty, the natural beauty
The sound and the fact that it is here
The quiet and the green space
How each time I visit it is growing cleaner
I love that it (the river) is still here
That is it a river!
It's history
It runs throughout most of Racine-many opportunities for different
schools to experience it.
Living near water is important to me
Racine Horlick Dam
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Survey Results Continued
2007 Root River Survey Results
Question Three: How would you like to see the river changed?
Changes to the River
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
No
ge
an
ch
r
afe
g/S
thin
Lig
ge
ed
Dr
e
ov
m
e
R
al
su
Vi
rs
rrie
ba
lop
ve
De
e
or
M
)
lan
(P
e
ov
m
e
R
e
re
/F
m
a
d
ng
wi
Flo
se
ea
cr
In
er
at
W
ls
ve
Le
gs
din
uil
B
ss
Le
ion
os
Er
t
en
em
g
a
an
m
e
nc
ha
En
tem
ys
os
c
E
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
d
an
ry
he
Fis
ss
ce
Ac
e
or
M
es
nit
rtu
o
pp
no
tio
a
cre
re
e
ov
m
e
R
h
as
Tr
e
ov
pr
Im
lity
ua
re Q
at
W
25
Survey Results Continued: A summary of all of the written comments by category.
A Selection of Question Three Responses:
Improve Water Quality and Remove Trash
• Anything that would make the water cleaner
• Improvement in water quality-most visible to me is turbidity, is this
from runoff?
• Cleaned up, both of debris and water quality
• Cleaner, more frequented by citizens
• Keep it clean and natural
• Kept clean and public
• I would like to see if the area around the river can be cleaned up
• Clean up trash below the dam
• Clean up! No fertilizer flowing in, garbage out.
Recreation
• Continuous, safe, walking and riding path
• Walking paths with benches.
• Places to rent boats/kayaks.
• Better crosswalks, more signs, and fewer paths on streets for bike
path, seating area and concessions along bike path
• More public outings, canoe hiking, biking paths
• Room for paddlers
• Canoe Rental Service
• Events along the river, concerts, fishing
• Increase opportunities for all to experience
Access
• Great access, i.e. walkways perhaps
• Add access, walkways, paths, etc.
• More accessible recreationally for more people
• More public access and use
• More entry places
• Non-motorized river access
Enhance Ecosystem and Fishery
• Remove invasive species, ask adopt-a river groups to help
• I would like to see more gardens and parks around it
• Restored to natural setting as much as possible
• Remove invasive species; reduce upstream storm water flow, by
installing things like rain gardens
• Use the natural beauty to enhance it
• Continue to support Steelhead facility
Erosion Management
• Shoreline management to control erosion and protect natural
setting and control runoff
26
• Buffering lands to protect/increase the water quality which will also
provide increased opportunities for recreation.
• More aquatic plants, more buffering
• Help stop erosion around the river, pollution, increasing fish
populations at least as long as it is healthy for the river
• I am a riparian nut, wishing to protect and restore the pristine
nature of all rivers and streams
Fewer Buildings and Remove Visual Barriers
• It should be maintained as spot of the wilds. When I look up from
the water, I should see as few buildings as possible.
• Remove some of the impinging homes and industry
• Less building along it
• Balance between vegetative buffer and viewing the river
• Remove visual barriers
• Continue to increase access to its shores for viewing
• What I don't want to see if condos all over the river banks.
Water Levels
• Return to its natural flow, protected from all types of pollution and
not over used
• More water flowing in so as to be able to navigate it, that's up to
nature I guess
• To be at proper level. Fallen trees removed
• Reporting on levels to plan trips down from Island Park
• Restore a more consistent water level and flow rate, which was lost
with the wetlands buffering action (impossible dream)
Remove Dam
• I would like to see the dam taken out and to see the river more
clear like it historically was.
Developed with a plan
• Developed more with overall plan yet keep it as natural as possible.
• Promoted.
• Restaurants with outdoor seating.
• It could be cleaner, developed more and promoted
Lighting/safer
• Safer
• Perhaps, lighting around the bridges
No Change
• No changes Not changed, no development that takes away from
(the river)
• Seems fine as it is
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Survey Results Continued
This chart summarizes the top comments made in written surveys and during three Root River Conversations in 2007
River
Activities
Love About the
River
Changes to the River
Restricting Use of
the River
Connect River and
Downtown
Parks
Walking/hiking
Nature/Wildlife
Improve water quality
Safety concerns (real
and perceived)
River walk
Balance riparian
vegetation and
river views
Boating
Urban Asset
Remove trash
Access points
Access points,
stairs, etc.
Pursue a new
park at Belle
Harbor
Biking
Recreation
More recreational
opportunities and events
Water quality and
cleanliness
Riverfront
development
guidelines
Fulfill Jens
Jensen's design
of Island Park
Fishing
Serenity/Beauty
Increase access,
including ADA
Lack of water depth
Riverfront events
and activities
More boat
launches and
better signage
Enhance ecosystem and
fishery
Lack of signage
Image and
amenities:
Appearance,
parking, restrooms
Access point to
the river at
Quarry Park
Improve retaining
wall
Teach fishing at
the steelhead
facility and
Horlick dam
Bird watching
Increase signage and
safety
Water Street as a
focal point
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
27
Appendix C: River Walk and Bike Path Recommendations
River Walk Recommendations
Root River Pathway Recommendations
The following are a few detailed recommendations
related to the river walk.
The following are a few detailed recommendations
related to the Root River Pathway.
•
•
•
A river walk will be created on the south side of
the river within the urban river planning boundary
(Figure 1, on page six), from the 6th Street Bridge
to the Main Street Bridge.
The river walk should be no wider than 15 feet
wide, meet all Americans with Disabilities Act
requirements, and minimize impervious surfaces. The elevation of the river walk will be consistent
from property to property. No stairs, ramps or
change in elevation should be necessary to connect
the river walk from one parcel to the next.
•
Fully vegetated buffers should extend from
the river inland of the river walk and natural
vegetation should extend from the river walk to
adjacent development.
•
Sam’s River Road will become multi-purpose with
shared space for the river walk and vehicles. •
There will be at least one public non-motorized
boat launch along the river walk.
•
The requirement of a river walk with specific
details will be placed in any future ordinance
or policy related to the river walk to ensure
uniformity.
•
The route of the Root River Pathway should
be amended to become off-street along Mound
Avenue.
•
The newly routed bike path will turn right before
Mound Avenue as you are heading east from 6th
Street, and continue along the top of the slope,
parallel to Mound Avenue, with a proper setback
to avoid erosion. (This will require purchase of
and/or easements from several properties). A
former parking lot has left a flat surface that is an
appropriate distance from the top of the slope.
•
Have the newly routed path go under the
Marquette Street Bridge. There is more than 10
feet of height under the bridge, which is adequate
for an underpass.
•
The path could be routed onto city sidewalk and
connect to the existing path.
•
In the future, the bike path could be extended
along or near the river.
Above: Former parking lot that could be the location
of the bike path along Mound Avenue
28
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Appendix D: Belle Harbor Concept 6
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
29
30
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Appendix E: Park Recommendations
This section provides recommended river edge maintenance and public access for each park along the
Root River.
Quarry Park
This Racine County Park is the first park below the
Horlick Dam. This is a destination kayaking site,
however, there is no designated boat launch. Repeated
boat launching can cause bank erosion.
We recommend a boat launch in this park.
Colonial Park
This park is the most ecologically sensitive park along
the river. There are ongoing efforts to remove non-native and invasive species and several plant restoration projects in this park. The river edge is
already vegetated and includes many trees. This park
should have no formal boat or viewing access.
Lincoln Park
The Department of Natural Resources steelhead facility creates a challenge in Lincoln Park. To help
boaters portage around the weir the existing, but
unused, DNR boat ramp upstream of the weir needs
to be modified. The large rocks at the end of the ramp
need to be rearranged to both stabilize the bank and
allow easier access by boaters.
Downstream of the weir a simple boat launch needs
to be created, similar to the one in Clayton Park to
allow for safe access to the river. There is a section
of the bank currently used by paddlers that can be
modified with a launch. The launch should be kept
within the “no fishing zone’ section of the river
to alleviate conflicts with fishermen. This park is
used by fisherman daily because of the location of
the steelhead facility. Therefore, a high amount of
fishing access should be made available in this park.
However, consideration needs to be made for bank
stabilization.
Sedimentation is one of the largest water quality issues
for the Root River. Excessive foot traffic on river
banks can cause soil erosion, which is harmful to fish.
A large section of bank “fell” into the river several
years ago and the bank had to be stabilized at great
expense. To avoid this situation, certain sections of
the river in this park need to have limited foot traffic.
An educational effort needs to take place to increase
awareness of this issue with fishermen, especially in
peak fishing seasons in spring and fall when many outof-state fisherman utilize the river.
To increase viewing opportunities in this park, a bench
should be placed upstream of the steelhead facility.
Brose Park
Only a short piece of Root River goes through Brose
Park. One side is privately owned, and stabilized with
stones or a wall. The other side is rocky with difficult
boating access. However, it is suitable for fishing
access and has a nice pavilion for the public.
Island Park
In the non-recreation areas (ball fields), it is important
that vegetative buffers are maintained in this park,
especially along the western branch of the river. In
August 2007 and June 2008, when the river was over
its capacity, the park land demonstrated its function for
handling flood waters. Without vegetation on the river
banks, it is likely that the bank and soil would have
been washed away during the flood.
A boat launch could be added near the north parking
lot. This could also be a good location for a buffer/
rain garden to address parking lot runoff. We suggest
contacting the Root Pike WIN’s Rain Garden Initiative
and requesting information on being a demonstration
site for 2009.
Riverside Park and Horlick Drive
There is a lot of honeysuckle (a non-native and
invasive species) in this area. It should be cut and the
stumps should be painted with glyphosate (herbicide).
Leave the roots, in order to avoid destabilizing the
banks. Removing honeysuckle will open the views
to the river. If it seems too open, other native shrubs
could be planted. In some areas the banks are being
undercut and need stabilization. The DNR should be
consulted for recommendations. Hard materials such
as rip rap should only be used if “softer” methods
such as bio-logs are not adequate stabilization for that
section of the river.
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
31
Park District Recommendations Continued
Cedar Bend Park
We need to go back to this park before recommendations are made. The bike path stays along
the edge of the park and city streets. It is also a small
park.
Clayton Park
There is a nice simple boat launch in this park, but
few people know about it. This is an example of why
new River Park District signs need to be created. The
launch area also doubles as fishing access.
This park should have one bench for viewing added
between the boat launch and the bike pathway railing
as shown in the conceptual drawing.
Barbee Park
This park was created when the bike pathway was
constructed. It was dedicated to the late Alderman
Bob Barbee. The park is intended to be an urban
green space and had been maintained by volunteers.
32
The park is in need of new volunteers to maintain the
vegetation, which should include early season mowing
to reduce the weeds and encourage the native plants.
Prescribed burning can accomplish this as well, but
can be more difficult to arrange and manage in an
urban setting.
Suggested native shrubs
Ninebark
Physocarpus apulifolia
Witch hazel
Hamamelis virginiana
Nannyberry
Virburnum lentago
American highbush cranberry V. trilobum
Blackhaw viburnum
V. prunifoilum
Hazelnut
Corylus americanum
Aronia melanocarpa
Black chokeberry
Sambucus canadensis
Elderberry
Red osier dogwood
Cornus stolonifera
Euonymus atropurpurea
Eastern wahoo Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
Appendix F: Publications Reviewed
The following is a sample of publications the Root River Council reviewed to provide background to this plan.
Baseline Assessment of Root River Water Quality Within the City of Racine
http://www.cityofracine.org/Depts/health/root_river_assessments.aspx
City of Racine Root River Pathway Bike Path
http://www.cityofracine.org/Depts/public_works/bicycle_paths.aspx
DNR State of the Basin Report, 2002
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/gmu/rootpike/watersheds/rootriver.htm
EPA 303d Designation
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/wqs/303d/303d.html
MMSD Water Quality Initiative
http://www.mmsd.com/wqi/publications.cfm#rootriver v
Racine 3rd District-Neighborhood Revitalization, Jude Gagliano, Sustainable Racine, 2000
Racine Downtown Plan
www.racinedowntown.com/d-plan.html
Racine Outfall Assessment Report
http://www.cityofracine.org/depts/public_works/storm_sewers_drains.aspx
Racine Park and Open Space Plan, 2003
http://www.sewrpc.org/publications/capr/capr-270_park_plan_city_racine.pdf
Reconnecting Racine: Transforming and Industrial Riverfront Into a Neighborhood, Jill Matthews Thesis- 1999
Re-Rooting, Richard Pipek’s Thesis
SEWRPC Regional Water Quality Management Plan Update
http://www.sewrpc.org/waterqualityplan/
Suggested Highway and Streetscape Concepts for the Highway 20/Sixth Street Reconstruction and
Enhancement Project
Back to the Root: An Urban River Revitalization Plan (July 2008)
33